"HOME OF PREMIERS"

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 131, 4 June 1937, Page 7

"HOME OF PREMIERS"

260 TINAKORI ROAD

INTERESTING HISTORY

The conversion of "Number 260, Tinakjori Road," as the building i* known in official circles, ;to a dental clinic, marks the break of this building's long association with the political life of New Zealand. Set well back from the roadway at the junction of Hill Street and Tinakori Road, and almost completely enclosed by trees, "260" is a well-known landmark to the thousands who travel up and down Tinakori Road, and although it has altered in its interior, its environs are very much the same today as when it was the home of Prime Ministers. Its hey-day was probably during the occupancy of the late Sir Joseph Ward, and old residents of that part of the city can recall how the carriages rolled through the gateway and up the curving drive when important Government functions were held. It was ithe place, also, where Mr. Massey died, and through its gates his remains passed on the way to the burial ground at Point Halswell. In latter years "No. 260" has lacked popularity as a residence for the Prime Minister in favour of the Ministerial residehca in Molesworth Street, which was occupied by Mr. Forbes and is at present occupied by Mr. Savage. It is interesting to note, also, that Mr. Seddon never lived there; he preferred the Molesworth Street house. :.

FOUR OCCUPANTS.

The first occupier of "No. 260" was Sir Julius Vogel, who lived there from August 16, 1884, to October 8, 1887. ..He was Premier in 1873-75, and agaiaiin 1876. During his occupancy of the residence he was a member of the second Stout-Vogel Ministry which lasted from September 3, 1884, to October 8, 1887. The first Stout-Vogel Ministry existed only twelve daysAugust 16-28, 1884. The first Atkinson Ministry intervened between.. the two Stout-Vogel Ministries. The next occupier, of. the residence was Sir; H. A; Atkinson, 'who lived there while he held the' Premiership, from October 8, 1887, to January 24, 1891. That was at the time of his fourth Ministry. Two of-his other Ministries were for about a year each, and one lasted only six days. The Hon. John Ballance was the next Premier to make his home at "260," and he lived there from March 15; 1891, to April 27, 1893, the date of his death. He formed his Ministry on January 24, 1891. For the next- two years "260" was apparently vacant, for there is no record of its occupancy, and from March, 11895, to May, 1899, it was leased.' \ On January 7, 1900, Sir Joseph Ward took up his residence there, and occupied the house till March'2B, 1912, the year.his Government relinquished office. Sir Joseph lived,there while he was a member of the Seddon Ministry, and continued his residence when he became Prime Minister on August 6, 1906. Between theMeath of Mr. Seddon, on June 10, 1906, and the formation o* the Ward Ministry, the HallJones Ministry intervened (June 21August 6).

The. Mackenzie Ministry (March 28July 10, 1912) followed the Ward Ministry, and then the-Massejr Ministry was formed. The late Mr. Massey lived in .Tinakori Road from December 3, 1912, to May 10, 1925-_the date of his death. That period embraces' the National Ministry, and during the thirteen years.of his Prime Minister* ship, Mr. Massey lived at "260." The last Prime Minister to live there was Mr. Coates, who ' occupied the --house from 1925 to 1928.

.'During Sir Joseph Ward's occupation the place was known as "Awarua," tha name of his electorate,, but ;>^hen Mr. Massey nioved 'in. he called if "Arikitoa"—Big Chief.*' " ,:

HISTORICAL VALUE.

After the return ofthe United Government,1 a move was made to .'subdivide the property, but the Government abandoned the proposal iri-view of objections raised by members of Parliament, who emphasised the historical value of the residence. Part of the residence was converted into flats, and two Ministers—Sir Alfred Ransom (a former Minister of Lands) and Mr. R. Masters (a former Leader of the Legislative Council) lived there. The ground floor was also used for a time by the Unemployment and Transport Departments.

The only Minister to occupy the house since the advent of the Labour Government has been Mr. Langstone (Minister of Lands). When it was found necessary to use the building for a dental clinic a residence was built for Mr. Langstone in the grounds, on the old stable site. The stable shed was still found to be housing the old four-wheel, two-seater, one-horse Brougham used by Sir Joseph Ward, and it was sold by the Public Works Department for £1. y .• .:,